The Ministry of Supply signed a cooperation protocol with Unilever Global on Tuesday to develop all branches of consumer complexes and wholesale companies, according to Minister Khaled Hanafi.

There are more than 5,000 consumer complexes branches and Unilever will develop 25,000 grocery ration shop across Egypt.

“The protocol includes that Unilever will develop and modernise the branches of the consumer and grocery stores by modernising designs, exhibition, and coordination,” Hanafi said.

Unilever will map the progress of operations, develop storage methods, increase the storage space, and design a system that ensures the quality products and the maintenance good conditions during their period of validity.

The protocol also states that Unilever will provide the Ministry of Supply with guiding manuals to train workers on modern sales methods, how to provide good services to customers, and develop trade performance, according to Hanafi in a press release Tuesday.

They will also help officials responsible for these branches on how to calculate the return on investment and follow-up on products with slow sales movement to activate them in this two-year protocol.

The Ministry of Supply had announced, in June the development of all branches of the consumer complexes and wholesale companies so they can become the largest retailer chain in the Middle East.

Consumer complexes’ new branches will open in all governorates to lighten the burden on the village citizens and remote areas by providing food commodities at prices 30% less than the market.